Tasks for March

Things Are Awakening From Winter Slumber!

March is lovely; the garden is starting to wake from its winter slumber! The Crocus provide an excellent pop of colour, and more spring bulbs are beginning to appear, with more yet to be enjoyed in the coming months.

Summer feels within reach!

May is an exciting month in the garden! Spring has sprung, and the trees have put on their fresh, new lime-green growth. There's abundant colour, and (hopefully) it's starting to warm up, especially at night. By the end of the month, it should be fine to plant up your summer bedding displays, with the risk of frost past. 

Prune spring shrubs, such as Forsythia, Ribes and Keria, after flowering to keep them compact and promote strong new growth.

Pinch out the shoot tips of bedding plants and young annuals to encourage bushier growth.

Frost is still a risk in May, so watch out for late frosts. Protect tender plants with horticultural fleece at night.

Lift and divide overcrowded crumps of Daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs for a better display next year.

Tie in the new shoots of climbing plants, including Clematis, Wisteria and Honeysuckle, to their supports. Be careful, as the new growth is delicate and easy to break.

Harden off summer bedding, tender annuals, and plant out after the last frost.